Control system for an air temperature changing unit

• US 4,462,540 A
• Filed: 09/14/1982
• Issued: 07/31/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Allen-Martin Electronics Limited
• Original Assignee: Allen-Martin Electronics Limited
• Inventors: Dytch, Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): Wayner, William E.
• Application Number:
  US06/418,098
• Time in Patent Office: 686 Days
• Field of Search: 236/47, 236/1 R, 236/94, 165/11 R, 367/93, 367/94, 367/198
• US Class Current: 236/47
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/56 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/81 by controlling the air supply to heat-exchangers or bypass channels
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/88 Electrical aspects, e.g. circuits
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/00 Control inputs relating to users or occupants
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/10 Occupancy
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2130/40 Noise
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1902 characterised by the use of a variable reference value

Abstract

An air conditioner control system comprises an air conditioner which includes a heating unit, a cooling unit and an internal thermostat, a switch unit for activating the air conditioner and a sensor unit for controlling operation of the switch unit. The sensor unit includes a sound level detecting circuit and an air temperature level detecting circuit and is positioned so as to sense the sound level and temperature level in the room in which the air conditioner is installed.

In operation, if the sound level rises above a threshold associated with occupancy of the room, the air conditioner is activated and the heating and cooling units are controlled by the internal thermostat. When the sound level falls below the threshold, after a preset period the air conditioner is activated only when the room temperature departs from a temperature range which is preset in the unit.

Claims

1. A control system for an air temperature changing unit comprising sound detecting means, temperature sensing means, means for activating an air temperature changing unit, said activating means comprising signalling means responsive to the sound detecting means and the temperature sensing means for generating a control signal and relay contacts responsive to the control signal for activating the air temperature changing unit, and means for blocking the sound detecting means for a short period each time said control signal changes state.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1 in which the activating means activates the air temperature changing unit when either the sound level rises above a predetermined sound level or the temperature departs from a predetermined temperature range.

3. A system as claimed in claim 2 further including delay means for maintaining activation of the heating unit for a predetermined period after the sound level has fallen below the predetermined sound level.

4. A system as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 further including means for preventing activation of the air temperature changing unit if the temperature lies within a second predetermined range, said second predetermined range falling with said first predetermined range.

5. A system as claimed in claim 4 in which the preventing means comprises a room thermostat which is separate from the temperature sensing means.

6. A system as claimed in claim 1 in which the actuating means further includes receiver means responsive to the control signal from the signalling means for controlling the relay contacts, the sound detecting means and signalling means being formed as one single unit and the receiver means and the relay contacts being formed as another single unit.